Paris to name sports venue after dead Ugandan Olympian Cheptegei

Paris will honor Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically passed away after being set on fire by her boyfriend, by naming a sports facility after her. This announcement was made by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo on Friday. Cheptegei, a marathon runner who competed in the Paris Olympic Games last month, died four days after suffering severe burns from a petrol attack in Kenya.

The 33-year-old athlete, who placed 44th in her Olympic debut, sustained burns on over 75% of her body. Hidalgo expressed her admiration for Cheptegei’s strength, beauty, and freedom, qualities she believes led to the attack. “Paris will not forget her,” Hidalgo stated, vowing to dedicate a sports venue in her honor, ensuring that Cheptegei’s story will inspire future generations with a message of equality, aligned with the Olympic and Paralympic values.

This devastating event marks Cheptegei as the third prominent sportswoman to have been killed in Kenya since October 2021. The tragedy has sparked conversations across the region about the importance of protecting the dignity and safety of athletes. Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen and Uganda’s Athletes Commission Chair, Ganzi Semu Mugula, both emphasized the loss to the region and the need for a society that respects every individual.

The death of Rebecca Cheptegei has sent shockwaves across the world, particularly in Kenya and Uganda, where she was known for her achievements in athletics. Her tragic death, after suffering burns from a petrol attack by her boyfriend, is seen as another instance of violence against women athletes in the region. The attack, which happened in Kenya, left her with burns on over 75% of her body, and despite receiving medical attention, she passed away four days later.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s decision to name a sports facility in her honor highlights the impact Cheptegei had, not only as an Olympian but as a symbol of strength and resilience. Cheptegei’s participation in the Paris Olympics had brought her into the global spotlight, and her performance, although not medal-winning, inspired many. Hidalgo emphasized the need to remember Cheptegei’s legacy and the values of equality she represented through her athletic career.

Cheptegei’s death is the third high-profile case of violence against sportswomen in Kenya since 2021, raising concerns about the safety of female athletes. Kenyan and Ugandan sports officials have condemned the incident, with Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen calling it a significant loss for the entire region. Uganda’s Athletes Commission Chair Ganzi Semu Mugula also remarked that this tragedy calls for a societal commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals, especially women in sports.

The incident has prompted widespread calls for more robust measures to protect female athletes from domestic violence and for a broader societal shift towards gender equality. Cheptegei’s life and career, tragically cut short, will be remembered, not just in Uganda and Kenya, but globally, through the tribute in Paris, a city that had once witnessed her remarkable spirit.